Nearby Theaters

Located in Aldershot, Hampshire. A classic example of late-1920’s early-1930’s super cinema, built as a cine-variety theatre called the Empire Theatre. It opened on 1st August 1930. It had a horseshoe shaped balcony, huge stage and once had a Compton organ which was removed in the early-1960’s.

It was built by County Cinemas then sold to J. Arthur Rank and renamed the Odeon. Closed on 17th October 1981, it is currently used as a church, known as the Kings Centre, and is in danger of demolition.

Looks like the photo was taken soon after closure by Rank in 1983 as all the Odeon signage has been removed from the canopy and frontage. The auditorium side wall also had a red neon Odeon sign above the 4 large windows which was repeated on the other side that faced the Ritz/ABC/Cannon/ABC/Odeon next door. Thanks for posting it Len Gazzard :–)

The Windows in the side wall were never used. They were always totally blocked in and never had curtains.From inside the auditorium you would never have known there were large Windows.The Windows only became used when taken over by the Kings Church.